DURBAN – The KwaDukuza Magistrate’s Court granted R20 000 bail for the two suspects, aged 27 and 57, who were arrested for possession and dealing in elephant tusks earlier this week.
The suspects appeared before the KwaDukuza Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.
Hawks spokesperson Captain Simphiwe Mhlongo said: “They were both granted R20 000 bail and the case was postponed to March 3.”
The suspects were arrested by Hawks officers from the Port Shepstone serious organised crime investigation unit and crime intelligence in Zimbali Eco Estate, on the coast of KwaZulu-Natal, for possession and dealing in elephant tusks.
Mhlongo said it is alleged that members received information about suspects who were selling elephant tusks.
An undercover operation was conducted at Zimbali Eco Estate and members swooped in on the suspects’ residence.
“Upon searching the premises, members found 1.3km of ivory pieces, 14 warthog teeth, 19 pieces of sperm whale teeth, four ivory carvings, two hippo teeth, 47 ivory chopsticks and 15 elephant tusks with a street value of about R400 000,” Mhlongo said.
He said the suspects were arrested and charged accordingly.
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